Good news for a change: duo on road to recovery

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AUSTRALIA have finally received some positive news on the injury front, with both Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark expected to play again this summer after undergoing surgery.

Surgeons removed loose cartilage in Symonds's right knee on Wednesday, and the all-rounder could return for the latter stages of Australia's limited-overs series. Clark, meanwhile, hopes to make his comeback from elbow surgery in a grade game for Sydney University on January 25. He will then endeavour to play in NSW's Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Newcastle from January 30.

Australian physio Alex Kountouris yesterday described Symonds's condition as a "best-case scenario", and team doctor Trefor James said he hoped Symonds would be available for the one-dayers and the ensuing tour of South Africa.

"Although there were some minor signs of wearing, the main problem was loose fragments of cartilage that were jamming in the joint, which were removed," James said. "We will monitor Andrew's progress in the coming weeks."

Clark said he was encouraged by the progress of his injured right elbow, but remained wary of declaring himself available for the tour of South Africa.

"If it keeps going the way it is, then I'm probably going to be a little bit ahead of where I might have been," Clark said.

"Hopefully I can get through those games OK and we can go from there."